Restless leg Syndrome as the name
suggests is associated with the unpleasant sensations in the legs. These
sensations are of varied nature and can range from burning, aching, itching, and
tingling to even numbness and no sensations at all. Not only these sensations
differ from person to person they can vary in their intensity and frequency.
One thing that is common in all cases of RLS is a strong urge to move the legs.
Movement brings immediate relief though it may be temporary and sensations may
return as soon as the movement is stopped.

Another distinctive feature of this problem is that it is most dominant or frequent in the periods of rest or inactivity. Not only this, the symptoms seem to worsen when a person is sitting, lying down or trying to relax.

This is especially troublesome as people are restricted in the movement while travelling or during meetings etc. and this problem keeps getting worse and worse. While immediate relief can be obtained by getting up and moving but where this is not possible, a person may divert the mind by engaging in some other activity such as knitting, solving crossword or playing a video game etc. RLS may also be called a nocturnal problem as it is either not present in the mornings or is very mild and infrequent.

The real trouble starts in the evening with the gradual worsening of the symptoms as the night approaches. At night a person suffering from RLS may find it difficult to sleep due to restlessness resulting in disruption of sleep and insomnia in extreme cases. Sleep disorders or sleep related problems are the most serious issues associated with RLS and an affected person may be impaired in their ability to perform to an optimum level.